Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-07-01
MIDDLEBURY, VERMONT, JULY l, 1887.

ogy was read. Hon. G.. Il. Erwin, presi- |
dent of the association, arriving at this |
time, took the chair. G.. NJ. Wilds de-
sired an expression of opinion, on the
part of the alumni. in regard to dropping |
the study of Greek, or, at least, making |
it optional, and said that he favored the |
idea. lie did not think the results com
pensation for the time spent. Rev. Mr..
Moody, -, replied, saying that if they
wished to run the college into the ground
they could do it in no better way. The
number of students leaving here to study
theology is greater than to study any
thing else. Greek is indispensable to
them. The graduates of this college are
now thoroughly prepared in Greek and
the professors of the various theological
seminaries think highly of the college on
that account. He would like Greek to
be optional during junior and senior
years, and wanted to see Hebrew an
elective; in less than ten years it must
be made such. DR.. Robinson, 81, said
We want Greek so we may continue to
stand side by side with other colleges
1t may be made optional, but thoughtful
men would say, We cannot afford to ex-
clude it. There is now reaction from
the opposition to the classics. Colleges
are opening up optional courses, but not
leaving out Greek. Female seminaries
put emphasis on training in Greek for
girls. The Latin is harder to learn than
the Greek in preparatory schools. lie
would deprecate even he.look of eXclud-
ing Greek.
The discussion was deferred until the
journed till a. IN. Wednesday.
The addresses and Poem.
At II o'clock the alumni and their
friends gathered at the church for the
literary exercises. The audience was
phenOmenally large for this event. Esta-
brooks orchestra of Rutland had seats
in the gallery and furnished excellent
music. Col. 1had NJ. Chapman acted as
marshal, and Hon. George L. Erwin
president of the alumni association. pre-
sided. After music, prayer was offered
by Rev. Rufus Flagg of Fair Haven.
More music followed and then Mr.. Erwin
introduced the orator of the day, Mr..
George Z. Plumbe of the class of 81, and
a member of the editorial staff of the
Chicago News. He spoke on the topic.
The College and the Press" and told
his audience good many things that
were true and needed to be said. In
matter and manner the address was in
every way excellent. a full abstract of
it will be found on the second page of
this paper.
Hon. Walter f. Howard of Fair Haven
was the poet of the occasion and was in
troduced after the orchestra had again
been heard from. His poem contained
some good hits. 1t was devoted. largely,
to contrasting the present race of New
Englanders with their Pilgrim sires, and
the former did not appear well in the
comparison, either. The poet received
liberal applause.
Hon. Daniel Roberts of Burlington, a
member of the class of lS29. made a
memorial address upon his classmate, the
late Rev. DR.. Truman NJ. Post of st.
Louis. Their friendship began in the
summer of 1925, when they met here at
the examination for entrance to the col
lege, and continued till the death of Dr.
a correspondence had been kept up. From
the materials thus afforded and from his
intimate personal knowledge of the man
Mr.. Roberts made sketch of his charac-
ter. 1t was written in style that few
professedly literary men could excel
while its matter was admirable. Those
who never knew DIR. Post could gain from
it a very clear notion of what manner OF
man he was, while his friends must have
obtained still further insight into his
character from Mr.. Roberts description
of it. But, like most efforts of this sort
it is utterly impossible to make an alb,
Stract of it or to speak of it except in q
general way.
This concluded the public exercises
The alumni dinner followed at the Ad
Olson House. About 80 of the graduates,
their wives and friends sat down to it
1t was of the customary excellence OF
those served by this hotel. After the
GOOD things provided had been discuss SEQ
to the satisfaction of all, President Erwin
of the alumni association called the
tables to order and asked one and an
other to speak. Among those called VI
were ex-President Hamlin, who ex-
pressed great hope for the future of tn,
college and joined his congratulation
with those of the alumni at the progres
which the present management had made
Dox, nr Pobipcon onl Hon AlJona l.